Geraniums are a delightful group of flowering plants that bring color and charm to gardens, balconies, and indoor spaces. Celebrated for their versatility, they thrive in a range of conditions, from sunny beds to shaded corners, making them a favorite among gardeners. Their blooms, which can appear in clusters or as single stars, paint the landscape with a spectrum of hues that brighten any setting.
The foliage of these plants is just as captivating as their flowers, often featuring textured, rounded, or lobed leaves. Some varieties release a pleasant fragrance when brushed, adding an extra layer of enjoyment—scents that might evoke herbs, fruits, or spices. This combination of visual and sensory appeal makes them a standout choice for pots, baskets, or ground cover.
Beyond their beauty, geraniums are remarkably resilient, with many types tolerating heat, drought, or cooler climates depending on their origins. They’re easy to care for, needing only well-drained soil, moderate water, and occasional pruning to keep them flourishing. This adaptability ensures they suit both novice growers and seasoned horticulturists alike.
Whether cascading from containers, lining pathways, or carpeting the ground, geraniums offer endless possibilities. Some bloom profusely through summer, while others shine as perennials, returning year after year with renewed vigor. Their diversity in growth habits, leaf patterns, and flower forms guarantees there’s a perfect fit for every garden vision.
Types of Geraniums
Zonal Geranium
- Height: 12–24 inches
- Flower Colors: Red, pink, white, purple, orange
- Description: Named for the dark “zone” on their rounded leaves, these upright plants are garden classics. Their large, clustered blooms make them perfect for beds, borders, and containers.
Ivy Geranium
- Height: 12–18 inches (trailing up to 48 inches)
- Flower Colors: Pink, red, white, lavender
- Description: With glossy, ivy-like leaves and cascading stems, this type excels in hanging baskets and window boxes. Its trailing habit adds a lush, spilling effect.
Regal Geranium
- Height: 12–48 inches
- Flower Colors: Pink, purple, red, white, bi-color
- Description: Also called Martha Washington geraniums, these boast large, showy flowers with ruffled petals, often patterned. They thrive indoors or in shaded outdoor spots.
Scented-Leaf Geranium
- Height: 12–36 inches
- Flower Colors: Mauve, pink, white
- Description: Prized for fragrant foliage—think rose, lemon, or mint—these plants offer small, delicate blooms. They’re ideal near seating areas or in pots for a sensory boost.
Angel Geranium
- Height: 9–36 inches
- Flower Colors: Pink, purple, white, bi-color
- Description: A compact hybrid with pansy-like flowers, this type has crinkled leaves and a bushy form. It’s a charming choice for containers or small gardens.
Unique Geranium
- Height: 12–24 inches
- Flower Colors: Red, pink, purple
- Description: Woody-stemmed with fragrant leaves, these hybrids produce vibrant, showy flowers. They’re less common but prized for their old-fashioned appeal.
Stellar Geranium
- Height: 12–18 inches
- Flower Colors: Red, pink, white, orange
- Description: Known for star-shaped blooms and jagged leaves, this zonal offshoot is heat-tolerant and compact, making it great for sunny spots or mixed planters.
Fancy-Leaf Geranium
- Height: 12–24 inches
- Flower Colors: Red, pink, white
- Description: A zonal variant with variegated or patterned leaves—think yellow stripes or dark rings—these add visual flair even when not in bloom.
Hardy Cranesbill
- Height: 6–24 inches
- Flower Colors: Blue, pink, purple, white
- Description: The true Geranium, this perennial thrives in temperate zones with saucer-shaped flowers. It’s low-growing and perfect for ground cover.
Rosebud Geranium
- Height: 12–24 inches
- Flower Colors: Red, pink, white
- Description: A zonal type with tightly packed petals resembling rosebuds, these offer a lush, romantic look. They’re stunning in containers or beds.
Interspecific Geranium
- Height: 12–24 inches
- Flower Colors: Red, pink, coral, white
- Description: Crosses between ivy and zonal types, these vigorous plants blend upright growth with trailing tendencies, excelling in heat and bloom production.
Dwarf Geranium
- Height: 5–12 inches
- Flower Colors: Red, pink, white, purple
- Description: Miniature versions of zonals or ivies, these petite plants pack a punch with dense blooms. They’re ideal for small spaces or fairy gardens.
Cascade Geranium
- Height: 12–18 inches (trailing up to 36 inches)
- Flower Colors: Red, pink, white
- Description: An ivy geranium variant, this type spills gracefully with single or semi-double blooms. It’s a top pick for hanging baskets or cascading over walls.
Lemon Geranium
- Height: 12–36 inches
- Flower Colors: Pink, mauve
- Description: A scented-leaf type with a zesty lemon aroma, its crinkled leaves and small flowers shine in pots or herb gardens, doubling as a natural insect repellent.
Double Zonal Geranium
- Height: 12–24 inches
- Flower Colors: Red, pink, coral, white
- Description: With lush, double blooms atop classic zoned leaves, this zonal variety adds extra fullness to beds and borders, thriving in sunny conditions.
Wild Geranium
- Height: 12–24 inches
- Flower Colors: Pink, purple
- Description: A hardy Geranium species, this woodland native offers loose clusters of five-petaled flowers, perfect for naturalized areas or shade gardens.
Chocolate Geranium
- Height: 12–24 inches
- Flower Colors: Pink, red
- Description: A fancy-leaf type with deep brown to bronze foliage, this zonal’s striking leaves steal the show, paired with vibrant blooms for contrast.
Trailing Regal Geranium
- Height: 12–24 inches (trailing slightly)
- Flower Colors: Purple, pink, bi-color
- Description: A regal hybrid with a semi-trailing habit, its ruffled, large flowers bring elegance to baskets or mixed planters, preferring cooler climates.
Apple Geranium
- Height: 12–30 inches
- Flower Colors: White, pink
- Description: Another scented-leaf gem, its apple-scented, velvety leaves and dainty blooms make it a charming addition near pathways or in containers.
Bigroot Geranium
- Height: 6–18 inches
- Flower Colors: Pink, magenta
- Description: A hardy Geranium with thick rhizomes, this ground cover blooms with cup-shaped flowers and turns reddish in fall, ideal for erosion control.
Mosaic Geranium
- Height: 12–24 inches
- Flower Colors: Red, pink, white
- Description: A fancy-leaf zonal with multicolored leaves—green splashed with cream or yellow—its blooms add a bonus to its already eye-catching foliage.
Cinnamon Geranium
- Height: 12–36 inches
- Flower Colors: Pink, lavender
- Description: This scented-leaf type exudes a warm cinnamon fragrance from its textured leaves, paired with subtle flowers that enhance its sensory appeal.
Calliope Geranium
- Height: 12–24 inches
- Flower Colors: Red, pink, lavender
- Description: An interspecific hybrid, this vigorous plant offers large, semi-double blooms and a mounding-to-spreading form, excelling in heat and drought.
Bloody Cranesbill
- Height: 6–12 inches
- Flower Colors: Magenta, purple
- Description: A hardy Geranium, its vivid flowers and lobed leaves turn blood-red in autumn, making it a striking perennial for borders or rock gardens.